Filed under: Chelsea, Sunderland, Premier League, Football, Match Reports
Fernando Torres was given an unwanted chance to put his feet up as Chelsea cruised to victory to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.The Blues' £50 million record signing was confined to a 15-minute cameo from the bench in favour of Daniel Sturridge as Andre Villas-Boas flexed his managerial muscles.
Sturridge repaid his manager's faith, doubling Chelsea's lead shortly after the interval with an impish finish, opening his account on his return from suspension.
With Raul Meireles making an impressive debut in midfield, Chelsea rarely looked back after taking an early lead through skipper John Terry's first goal of the season.
It was another day to forget for winless Sunderland, who subsided to their latest defeat to add insult to injury after the shock departure of record signing Asamoah Gyan. Ji Dong-won's injury-time effort was scant consolation for the hosts.
THE GOALS:
18 mins: Terry is allowed two bites at the cherry to find the net from a narrow angle via defender Phil Bardsley after Juan Mata's free-kick came back off the post. (0-1)
51 mins: Sturridge beats Wes Brown to a ball from Meireles to finish with a cheeky backheel as Simon Mignolet came to block. (0-2)
90 mins: Ji Dong-won opens his Sunderland account, sweeping home a cross from Larsson after Bendtner's flick. (1-2)
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS:
12 mins: Nicklas Bendtner wastes a golden chance to break the deadlock, the unmarked debutant heading wide from Seb Larsson's free-kick.
20 mins: Jack Colback is lucky to escape with a yellow card for a terrible challenge on Ramires.
25 mins: Anelka out-paces Titus Bramble to fire in a shot that grazes the crossbar.
45 mins: Petr Cech marks his return to the side with a fine save low to his left to deny Stephane Sessegnon.
45 mins: Larsson heads badly wide when meeting a Kieran Richardson cross.
63 mins: Florent Malouda almost scores with his first touch, forcing a fine save from Mignolet.
WHAT IT MEANS:
Chelsea remain unbeaten and go into their Champions League clash with Bayer Leverkusen in great form. Without a victory in their five games this season, the pressure mounts on Sunderland manager Steve Bruce.
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